Newspaper Page Text
Page 2C
June 1, 2022
Reporter
MONROE OUTDOORS by Terry W. Johnson
Spread of avian flu continues across U.S.,
but Georgia has avoided serious infestation
Humans can help limit the spread of diseases in wild birds
by cleaning bird feeders regularly. (Photo/Terry Johnson)
B ack in March I
wrote a column
dealing with
the spread of
the highly pathogenic
avian influenza HPAI virus
(HSN1) that
was sweep
ing across
the United
States. At
that time, I
promised to
let you know
of any new
information
that surfaces.
Recent re
ports released
by the Georgia Depart
ment of Natural Resources
(DNR) and the Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) have
made it possible for me
to provide the promised
update.
Since my initial column
dealing with avian flu was
published the disease has
continued to spread. Cur
rently it has been identified
in 1,190 wild birds in 38
states. Although the disease
has affected more than two
dozen species, the vast ma
jority of the birds impacted
are waterfowl, e.g. gad-
wall, wood duck, hooded
merganser, geese (Canada,
Ross’s, and snow goose),
mallard, green-winged teal
and lesser scaup.
Other birds often as
sociated with water have
also tested positive for
the disease including the
common loon, American
white pelican,
double-crested
cormorant, and
herring gull.
Raptors have
also fallen victim
to the disease.
This list includes
the great horned
owl, peregrine
falcon, northern
harrier, red-tailed
hawk, sharp-
shinned hawk, Coopers
hawk, and bald eagle. Both
turkey and black vultures
have succumbed to the
virus too.
The lone upland game
bird that has found its way
onto this infamous list is
the wild turkey. This bird
was found in Montana.
The only birds on the list
that frequent our backyards
are the American crow, and
American robin.
The only birds that
tested positive for the avian
influenza in Georgia were
waterfowl and bald eagles.
Here is a breakout of the
number of avian flu cases
by County: Camden - 5,
Glynn - 2, Liberty - 1,
Chatham - 1 and Hart - 2.
Unfortunately, the virus
has taken a heavy toll on
bald eagle reproduction
along the Georgia coast.
Dr. Bob Sargent, a program
manager with the DNR’s
Wildlife Conservation
Section, estimates that
the disease cut bald eagle
production in half along
the Georgia coast this
year. Fortunately, the data
collected during his aerial
surveys of bald eagle nests
across the entire state sug
gest that eagles throughout
the rest of the state were
not affected by the bird flu.
Since avian flu is known
to be transmitted between
wild birds and domestic
poultry, state agricultural
agencies throughout the
country, along with the
United States Department
of Agriculture, have been
closely monitoring poultry
operations for the presence
of the disease.
To date, avian flu out
breaks have been identi
fied in 38 states. These
outbreaks have affected
38,022,081 birds. Georgia
remains one of the 12 states
that have not reported a
single bird flu outbreak in a
domestic poultry flock.
After assessing all of the
bird flu data, the Georgia
Wildlife Conservation
Section issued this state
ment: “Research suggests
that avian flu is unlikely
to become widespread
in songbirds except for
scavenging species such as
crows and possibly in areas
where the risk of transmis
sion is higher, such as near
infected poultry facilities
or gatherings of infected
waterfowl.”
What this boils down to
is that, in the near future, it
is highly unlikely that it will
have a deleterious impact
on Georgias wild turkey
population.
In addition, it also means
that we can continue feed
ing backyard birds without
worrying whether or not
we are contributing to the
spread of avian influenza.
However, we should keep
in mind that a number of
other debilitating diseases
such as salmonellosis, as
pergillosis and house finch
disease can be spread at
dirty feeders and birdbaths.
According to wildlife biolo
gist Todd Schneider home-
owners can play a key role
in limiting the spread of
diseases affecting wild birds
by, . .cleaning their feed
ers regularly. A hygienic
bird feeder can reduce the
risk tremendously’
Wildlife disease experts
predict that the new avian
influenza may be with us
from now on. Unfortu
nately, the longer it remains
with us, the greater the
chances it might infect
other wildlife species.
Already, influenza A virus
has been found in whales,
harbor seals, pigs, cats,
dogs, minks, red foxes, and
horses.
I should also mention
that it is encouraging to
note that during the recent
outbreak of the new highly
pathogenic strain of the
disease it was identified in
only one human living in
the United States.
The DNR has requested
that incidents of bird die
offs be reported to Todd
Schneider at todclschnei-
der@dnr.ga.gov.
Terry Johnson of Forsyth
is retired Program Manager
of the Georgia Nongame-
Endangered Wildlife
Program. He has written the
informative column Monroe
Outdoors’for the Reporter
for many years. His book,
“A Journey to Discovery,” is
available at The Reporter.
Email him at tjwoodduck@
bellsouth.net.
TERRY W. JOHNSON
pV, A-W
Six MP seniors awarded Norris scholarship
Six Mary Persons seniors were awarded the $2,000 Deputy Michael Norris Memorial Scholarship on Honors Night on Tuesday, May 24. The scholarship was created in 2014 after
the death of Monroe County deputy Michael Norris while responding to a suicidal man. The scholarship is designed to encouarge Monroe Countians of good character to enter public
safety. Presenting the scholarship are Norris parents Bennett and Fran Norris and his widow Logan Norris Doyle. This year s recipients (holding envelopes) are, from left, Taylor Ed
wards, Sadie Icenhour, Emma Robinson, Alyssa Palmer and Haley Barnett. Not pictured is Nazari Jackson.
Mike Leverett comes
home with Chaos
Mike Leverett returned home from the Extreme Mustang Makeover held in Ocala, Fla. on
April 29-30 with his palomino mustang, Chaos, after winning a 10th place ribbon for
ground handling & conditioning and a 9th place ribbon for maneuvers. He also won the
coveted Silver Bullet award and a belt buckle. He purchased Chaos in an auction after
the show and the mustang now calls the Marigold Stables in Forsyth his home. Leverett
had only 100 days to train Chaos to participate in the show sponsored by Mustang
Heritage Foundation in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management. (Photo/Debbie
Menard)